NBA Power Rankings: Who to watch in the preseason

By Mark Strotman

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30. Chicago Bulls

Lauri Markkanen, PF: For as poor as Markkanan looked in the Summer League, he was every bit as good for Finland in Eurobasket 2017. The 7-footer averaged 19.5 points and 5.7 rebounds and helped his country advance to the Round of 16. In the first five games of the tournament he scored between 17 and 27 points, and he shot 53 percent from the field (and 48 percent from deep). It was a promising event for the 20-year-old, who should step into a prominent role in his rookie season. He won't start ahead of Nikola Mirotic, but he'll get all the run he can handle for a Bulls team looking to build for the future. The preseason will be crucial for his confidence in the short-term. (Offseason ranking: 29)

29. Orlando Magic

Aaron Gordon, PF: The failed experiment of trying Gordon at small forward skewed his stats last season, but he picked things up after the Magic dealt Serge Ibaka to Toronto. Gordon averaged 16.4 points on 50 percent shooting after the All-Star break, and hopefully he can swing that momentum into some consistency as he enters a contract year. The Magic drafted SF Jonathan Isaac and signed Jonathan Simmons in the offseason, but Gordon is still the key for this team going forward. They were a huge disappointment last season but growing Gordon and Payton could allow them to make some noise in the awful East. (Offseason ranking: 30)

28. New York Knicks

Kristaps Porzingis, PF: Who else? While there are a few intriguing young options like Frank Ntilikina and Willy Hernangomez, the reality is the Knicks' progression is all about Porzingis' development. The 22-year-old is rapidly developing into one of the game's best players, and he's been given the keys to the Knicks franchise in the wake of the Carmelo Anthony trade. Last year his numbers improved across the board, and a successful Eurobasket 2017 should only improve his confidence; Porzingis averaged 23.6 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 53.4/37.5/89.6 percents. He's on the cusp of reaching top-10 status in the league. We just get to sit back, relax and enjoy watching him play. (Offseason ranking: 26)

27. Brooklyn Nets

D'Angelo Russell, SG: With no high-end draft picks for the next two seasons the Nets were able to make a splash by dealing for D'Angelo Russell and taking on Timofey Mozgov's contract. It was an important deal for the Nets, who now have a face of the future and a cornerstone upon which to build. Russell wasn't all that much better in his second season than his first, but that was still good enough to average 15.6 points and 4.8 assists. He'll move primarily off the ball in Brooklyn playing alongside Jeremy Lin, which should help him improve on the 35 percent he's shot from deep both seasons. There isn't much to get excited about with the Nets this season, but Russell's development will be. (Offseason ranking: 27)

26. Indiana Pacers

Victor Oladipo, SG: Playing in the same backcourt as the guy who set the NBA record for usage can't be easy, and Oladipo's numbers reflected that in his lone season with the Thunder. It's fair to expect a significant bounce-back season for him now that he's the lone guard with any real talent in Indiana. We're still talking about a 25-year-old who has averaged 15.9 points on 44 percent shooting for his career. He also improved his 3-point shooting for the fourth consecutive season since entering the league, both in total makes and percentages. That'll be a key for him this season, and he'll have the green light to shoot as often as possible. It's Oladipo, Myles Turner and not a lot else. (Offseason ranking: 21)

25. Atlanta Hawks

John Collins, PF: The departures of Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard have cleared up all the frontcourt room in Atlanta. First in line to grab those minutes for the rebuilding Hawks is Collins, who looked like a seasoned veteran in the Las Vegas Summer League. In five games he averaged 15.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and shot better than 59 percent from the floor. He isn't a deep threat - he was 0-for-1 from 3 in two seasons at Wake Forest - so there are question marks about how his game will adapt to the NBA. The Hawks won't care much about 3-pointers if he continues to show touch around the rim, strength on the glass and a high basketball IQ. He and Dennis Schroder could form a solid 1-2 punch as Atlanta begins its next chapter. (Offseason ranking: 28)

24. Phoenix Suns

Marquese Chriss, PF: There aren't many players with more potential than Chriss, who offers an exciting blend of athleticism, agility and strength. He just turned 20 years old and started 75 games last season for the Suns. From December 26 to the end of the season, a span of 52 games, he averaged 1.0 3-pointers, 1.0 steals and 1.1 blocks. To put that in perspective, only five players averaged 1/1/1 last season (Durant, Green, Cousins, Johnson, Covington). Chriss missed doing that by 12 blocks and 15 steals. He's a good bet to do it this season playing for a Suns team that addressed its backcourt with Josh Jackson but has plenty of open time in the frontcourt. Chriss is built for today's NBA. (Offseason ranking: 25)

23. Los Angeles Lakers

Brandon Ingram, SF: It was an offseason of change for the Lakers as they prepare for a huge free agency push in 2018. But one reportedly unmovable piece of the future was Ingram, the lanky 20-year-old who had a bit of a rough rookie season. But Magic Johnson knows what he has in the the young forward, and he should expect to see the No. 2 overall pick flourish in his second season. Ingram brushed off an incredibly slow start to average 13.2 points on 48 percent shooting after the All-Star break, starting all 21 of those games. His 3-point shot needs to work and he offered little defensively as a rookie. But Lonzo Ball should feed him regularly, making Ingram a focal point of the offense and the rebuild as a whole. (Offseason ranking: 24)

22. Dallas Mavericks

Dennis Smith Jr., PG: Your front runner for Rookie of the Year is going to usher in the next chapter of Mavericks basketball. Maybe it was the torn ACL in high school, or maybe it was that he played for North Carolina State, but Smith fell to No. 9 in June's draft and already looks like a steal. He averaged 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists in the Summer League and is apparently blowing everyone away in training camp already. He's got the keys to the Mavericks offense and will get as much run as he can handle (take a look at Dallas' point guard depth when you get a minute). This is an exciting pick for a franchise in need of just that. (Offseason ranking: 23)

21. Sacramento Kings

Willie Cauley-Stein, C: The Kings knew they were getting, at the very least, a stout defender when they drafted Cauley-Stein with the No. 6 pick two seasons ago. And for most of his early career he's been just that, averaging 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks in 141 career games. But where Cauley-Stein may be impressing Kings brass most is on the offensive end, especially after they traded DeMarcus Cousins at last year's deadline. In 25 games he averaged 12.9 points on 50 percent shooting, 8.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists. In his final seven games of the year those numbers rose to 14.3 points on 53 percent shooting and 10.9 rebounds. There's a bit of a logjam in Sacramento's frontcourt, but it begins with Cauley-Stein. (Offseason ranking: 22)

20. Charlotte Hornets

Malik Monk, SG: The Hornets have tried on multiple occasions to find the right backcourt mate to pair with Kemba Walker. Guys like Lance Stephenson, P.J. Hairston, Courtney Lee and Marco Belinelli really haven't gotten the job done. So the Hornets invested their 2017 lottery pick in Monk, who did nothint but score in his lone season at Kentucky. That should take some pressure off Walker, as well as help a Hornets offense that has lacked a true third scorer behind Walker and Nicolas Batum (if you can even call him a second scorer). Charlotte was a massive letdown last year after making the playoffs in 2016, and if Monk can provide some instant scoring it would go a long way for Steve Clifford's group. (Offseason ranking: 18)

19. Detroit Pistons

Avery Bradley, SG: The league's best perimeter defender enjoyed a breakout season offensively a year ago, averaging career-bests in points (16.3), field goal percentage (46.3%), 3-pointers (2.0) and assists (2.2). He wound up being the odd man out to make space for Gordon Hayward, and he lands in a spot where he could become the face of the Pistons franchise. If he flourishes under Stan Van Gundy in what will be a contract year the Pistons could have a backcourt cornerstone they thought they were getting when Reggie Jackson inked an $80 million deal in 2015. Bradley is now "the guy," and at 26 years old he's got plenty more to offer. (Offseason: 19)

18. New Orleans Pelicans

Rajon Rondo, PG: Which Rondo are the Pelicans getting? They'll find out soon enough. In one of the more turbulent seasons in recent memory, Rondo went from starter logging triple-doubles...to benched entirely...to calling out the team's star players...to playoff hero...to injured. Who knows if the Pelicans saw what Rondo did in Games 1 and 2 against the Celtics in last year's Bulls playoff series and nothing else. Rondo will be back paired with DeMarcus Cousins, the man who helped him lead the league in assists with the Pelicans. Putting Jrue Holiday off the ball is a risky move by Alvin Gentry, but that says a lot about how confident the Pellies are in Rondo setting up and feeding everyone, led of course by Anthony Davis. They'll go as Rondo goes, just like the Bulls did much of the year. (Offseason ranking: 20)

17. Memphis Grizzlies

Chandler Parsons, SF: After signing a $94 million deal Parsons had a season to forget in Memphis. He struggled with knee injuries all year long, and when he did play the results were downright ugly. In 34 games he averaged 6.2 points on 34 percent shooting and scored in double figures just seven times. The Grizzlies lost Zach Randolph this offseason and will need to replace his production, while Parsons' defense will be needed to replace Tony Allen's spot. Parsons is more than capable of playing well; he's one year removed from a season in Dallas where he averaged 13.7 points on 49 percent shooting. But his health will be a key factor in how far Memphis goes this year. (Offseason ranking: 16)

16. Philadelphia 76ers

Ben Simmons, PG/SF: There are a handful of players to watch on the up-and-coming Sixers, but none more interesting than Simmons. He'll be running the point and initiating a lot of Philadelphia's offense at 6-foot-10, making him one of the more unique players in the league. Last year's No. 1 pick has an incredible skill set for someone his size, and after missing his entire rookie season will be champing at the bit to prove his doubters wrong. He's an excellent fit with Joel Embiid and has plenty of shooting around him in J.J. Redick and Markelle Fultz. Simmons needs considerable work on his jump shot, but he's a blur in transition and can defend multiple positions. He's every bit as important as Embiid. (Offseason ranking: 14)

15. Utah Jazz

Rodney Hood, SF: The Jazz were dealt a major blow when Gordon Hayward departed for Boston over the summer. Rudy Gobert will see an uptick in scoring, and Ricky Rubio may be asked to create more for himself. The other key piece of replacing Hayward's 21.9 points will be Hood. The lefty missed a chunk of last season with knee problems and was never really healthy. That resulted in some maddening inconsistency, where he would go for 28 one night and nine the next. Now the Jazz will need him to be scoring in the teens each night or it'll be a long season in Salt Lake City. Rookie Donovan Mitchell is another name to watch after he dominated the Summer League and could be poised for valuable bench minutes. (Offseason ranking: 12)

14. Portland Trail Blazers

Jusuf Nurkic, C: It appears Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum have found their No. 3. Nurkic was perhaps the biggest steal at the trade deadline last year, averaging 15.2 points and 10.4 rebounds after the Nuggets dealt him to the Blazers. His defense is still a real question mark - as is just about everyone who plays in Portland - but there's no denying the impact he had on the team. After the trade the Blazers went 18-9 and simply looked rejuvenated with Nurkic in the lineup. Now we'll get to see what he and the Blazers can do for a follow-up act. Injuries hampered Nurkic at the end of last season and he was only able to play 17 minutes in Game 3 of the Blazers' series against the Warriors. Nurkic hasn't played more than 65 games in a season, but he'll need to if the Blazers want to get back to the postseason. (Offseason ranking: 17)

13. Miami Heat

Justise Winslow, SF: Two years ago Winslow slipped on draft day because there were concerns about his shooting. He had the build, was a terror at the basket and brought plenty to the table as a wing defender. Winslow has proven to be good in the areas many expected him to be, but the shooting has been a different story. Before a shoulder injury ended his season in November, Winslow shot just 35.6 percent from the field, including 20.0 percent from deep. He took a step back, and there could be concern that the shoulder injury won't do him any favors improving that shot. He has boatloads of potential, and Miami has others at the position to cover him some, but the Heat would be in a much better spot if Winslow can improve his shot. (Offseason ranking: 13)

12. Denver Nuggets

Jamal Murray, PG: It was telling that the Nuggets refused to part with Murray in any potential trade talks for Kyrie Irving. No, he isn't as good as Uncle Drew, and may never be, but just in his second season already looks like a keeper for the Nuggets. As a rookie he averaged 9.9 points in just 21.5 minutes, and after the All-Star break he was sensational: From March 1 to the end of the year he averaged 12.7 points, 1.7 3-pointers and 3.0 assists in 25.9 minutes. Emmanuel Mudiay hasn't panned out like the Nuggets thought, but they may have their point guard of the future anyway. Murray and Gary Harris form one of the more underrated backcourts in the West. This could be a breakout year for the Blue Arrow. (Offseason ranking: 15)

11. Toronto Raptors

Norman Powell, SF: Powell is a fan favorite on #NBATwitter, and for good reason. He'll finally get his opportunity to flourish with DeMarre Carroll being shipped to Brooklyn in the offseason. In limited minutes (18.) he was still able to average 8.4 points on 45 percent shooting, and he averaged 15.6 points on 50 percent shooting in 18 starts. He was impressive in the playoffs and now will try to act as a complementary wing opposite DeMar DeRozan. The talent is there for the 24-year-old Powell, and now he has the opportunity as the expected starting small forward. (Offseason ranking: 6)

10. Milwaukee Bucks

Malcolm Brogdon, PG: Last season's surprise Rookie of the Year winner should be in line for another big season. Not only did Brogdon's emergence give the Bucks depth at point guard - pushing Matthew Dellavedova to the second unit - it allowed Giannis Antetokounmpo to play off the ball more. He's an able passer, but the Greek Freak is at his best on the wing. Now Brogdon will look to build on his ultra efficient rookie season that saw him shot 46 percent from the field, 40 percent from deep and 87 percent from the line. The Bucks will be without Jabari Parker until February, meaning Brogdon may be asked to shoulder more of a scoring load. He's more than capable of doing just that. He's quite simply a perfect fit in Milwaukee. (Offseason ranking: 9)

9. LA Clippers

Patrick Beverley, PG: The Chris Paul Era is over in Los Angeles, but the Clippers should still be in good hands. In that return for trading Paul to the Rockets they received Beverley, one of the more underrated point guards in basketball. He's not much of a passer, although his numbers from last year were skewed by James Harden effectively being a point guard. But what Beverley does offer is outside shooting (1.6 made 3-pointers on 38 percent shooting), elite defense (he was first team all-defense with Paul last year) and a heady player (he's never averaged more than 1.5 turnovers per game). His role will change some in LA, but what Beverley does well he truly excels at. He'll do fine replacing Paul. (Offseason ranking: 11)

8. Minnesota Timberwolves

Andrew Wiggins, SF: To the casual fan Andrew Wiggins has been every bit worthy of the No. 1 pick. He averaged 23.6 points per game last season, improved his 3-point shot a third straight year and has played in 245 of 246 games. He scores, he improves and he's reliable while playing more than 36 minutes per night. But Wiggins hasn't shown much in the way of creating for others (2.2 assists per 36 minutes), rebounding (3.9 rebounds per 36 minutes) or defending based on per 100 possession numbers). The good news is he's 22 years old and has a stellar supporting cast around him in Jimmy Butler and Karl Towns, plus Tom Thibodeau barking in his ear. But this is a big year for Wiggins, who can sign a $148 million extension, and his improvement as a whole player. (Offseason ranking: 10)

7. Washington Wizards

Kelly Oubre, SF: We alreeady know that Oubre is really good at shoving Kelly Olynyk to the ground in the playoffs. Now we'll get to see if he's ready to play significant minutes for one of the top teams in the East. Markieff Morris is expected to miss two months after shoulder surgery, and it's likely going to thrust Oubre into a big role, if not a starting role, for Scott Brooks. He's just 21 years old but came on strong late in his second season. He had four double-digit scoring games in the postseason and seemed to find his outside jumper. His raw numbers weren't great, but Washington loves him and his potential. He's an X-factor for what should be a great Wizards squad. (Offseason ranking: 7)

6. Oklahoma City Thunder

Carmelo Anthony, PF: We know Russell Westbrook is going to get his, and he'll be fine playing alongside two All-Stars. He did exactly that with Kevin Durant for years. Paul George has a well-rounded game that will allow him to contribute in multiple areas on a night where Russ is going Point Godzilla. But if there's one question mark about how this new three-headed monster will perform, it's what Anthony is going to do as a complementary player for the first time in his career. He's going to play power forward, which could mean more struggles defensively, and he'll likely be third on the team in usage. It's a major unknown how he'll respond, and what he can offer outside of pure scoring. He's still talented, but he's going to need to change his game this year. (Offseason ranking: 8)

5. Boston Celtics

Kyrie Irving, PG: General manager Danny Ainge stockpiled assets for this exact moment, to trade for a legitimate superstar that could put the Celtics over the top. Irving was unhappy playing Robin to LeBron's Batman, and now he finds himself in a situation where he could knock LeBron off his throne in the Eastern Conference. Irving is a master of everything offense, but there are questions about his defense that still linger. Yes, Brad Stevens made it work with Isaiah Thomas last season. But Thomas was surrounded by Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder, both of whom are now gone. The Celtics are of course better with Irving in the mix, and Gordon Hayward will jell perfectly with him, but it may be a bumpy start. (Offseason ranking: 4)

4. San Antonio Spurs

Dejounte Murray, PG: The Spurs were hoping Murray would be the point guard of the future when they drafted him a year ago. What they weren't expecting was to thrust him into a starting role this soon. But Tony Parker's nasty hamstring injury suffered in last year's playoffs has put Murray front and center on leading an offensive that annually finds itself at the top of the efficiency leaderboard. Patty Mills may start, but Murray will find himself in the 20-minute range on most nights. The Spurs would love if he could replicate his playoff performance, when he averaged 8.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 22 minutes. He just turned 21 earlier this month, but San Antonio will need him to play much older than that until Parker returns. (Offseason ranking: 5)

3. Cleveland Cavaliers

Dwyane Wade, SG: LeBron and D-Wade are finally reunited three years after they last played together in Miami. It's a solid fit for Cleveland, if for no other reason than it keeps LeBron happy in what could be his final season with the Cavaliers. How much it will do for their chances of topping the Warriors is another question. Wade averaged a respectable 18.3 points last season for a Bulls team with one other scorer. But his defense is severely lacking, and he's got a whole lot of wear and tear on those 34-year-old knees. If he's willing to accept a role on the second unit he could help facilitate and run the offense for a team that desperately needed it last season. Realistically, Wade will show some flashes, put up a couple big scoring nights but not move the needle much. It's all about Isaiah Thomas' health and LeBron carrying them as far as he can. (Offseason ranking: 2)

2. Houston Rockets

Clint Capela, C: The lite version of DeAndre Jordan took a major leap last season, averaging 12.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in just 23.9 minutes per game. He and James Harden were a terror on pick-and-rolls, allowing Capela to shoot a blistering 64.3 percent from the field. Expect those numbers to stay the same, or even get better, now that Chris Paul is in town. Capela put together a promising playoff campaign, averaging 8.7 rebounds, 2.5 blocks in addition to his 10.5 points. If he can keep that momentum rolling he should easily top last year's numbers and have yet another career year. Everything's there for Capela to have a monster year in a complementary role. (Offseason ranking: 3)

1. Golden State Warriors

Nick Young, SG: There isn't a whole lot of intrigue in the Bay Area this year. Durant, Curry, Thompson and Green form the best core in basketball, and the Warriors will roll to another 65+ win season and earn the top seed in the West. So what is there really to look for in the preseason? One of the most colorful players in the league joining an organization with perfect chemistry. That's not to say Young is going to be a distraction, or that his 3-point prowess won't fit in with the Warriors system. It's just that Swaggy P has a tendency to go do his own thing at times, and sometimes he thinks he has the green light when he really doesn't. He'll need to fall in line playing for the defending champs, but there may be a bump or two in the road. (Offseason ranking: 1)